The winter of 1811-12 has been hard and, for Richard Sharpe, the worst he can remember He has lost his command to a wealthy man, a man with money to buy the promotion Sharpe covets, while out from England has come his oldest enemy, the ruthless and indestructable Hakeswill, intent on ruining him Sharpe though is determined to change his luck and the surest way is to lead the bloody attack on the impregnable fortress town of Badajoz, a way to death, or glory!